Teacher CPD · Secondary Schools

Teaching Leaving Certificate Computer Science

This professional development course equips educators with essential strategies for delivering Leaving Certificate Computer Science. It covers curriculum orientation, programming pedagogy, core concepts like data representation and algorithms, applied learning tasks, coursework project supervision, and written examination techniques. Participants develop a lead learner mindset, integrate computational thinking, and create a comprehensive year plan to enhance student outcomes.
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€79
Enrolment per teacher
What's included
  • Self paced
  • Online course
  • Step-by-step lessons
  • Certificate from Coding Ireland

Explore the Course

20 lessons across 6 modules

Two lessons that establish three things: an honest map of where you are starting from (the confidence audit); a working understanding of what the LCCS specification requires of students (and therefore of you); and a productive mindset for delivering LCCS without pretending to be a domain expert.

Welcome, Confidence Audit and the Lead Learner Mindset Beginner
The LCCS Specification — Three Strands, Two Components, and the Tranche 3 Refresh Beginner

CS-education research is unusually clear that 'watch the teacher code, then write your own' produces poor outcomes for novices. This module replaces that pattern with computational thinking as named classroom moves, PRIMM and worked examples, explicit instruction in debugging, and a sequenced two-year Python progression with programming-specific assessment.

Computational Thinking as Classroom Practice Beginner
PRIMM, Worked Examples and Misconception Diagnostics Beginner
Teaching Debugging Explicitly Beginner
Scaffolding Python Across Two Years and Assessing Programming Progress Beginner

This module addresses the elephant in the room for out-of-field LCCS teachers: the Core Concepts strand requires substantive subject knowledge that most cross-trainers have never formally studied. The module covers each area at the level the LCCS specification actually requires and the SEC written paper actually asks: data representation; algorithms; computer systems; networks and the web; and AI, machine learning and computers in society.

Data Representation — Binary, Encoding, Images and Sound for Non-specialists Beginner
Algorithms and Algorithmic Thinking for Non-specialists Beginner
Computer Systems — Hardware, Software, Operating System for the Written Paper Beginner
Networks and the Web — the Topic Most Out-of-field Teachers Find Hardest Beginner
AI, Machine Learning and Computers in Society Beginner

The four prescribed Applied Learning Tasks account for roughly 40 hours of LCCS classroom time across the two-year course. They are the main vehicle for the Computer Science in Practice strand and the principal way students develop the design, build, and reflection muscles they will need for the Coursework Project. This module gives out-of-field teachers both the pedagogy for running ALTs well and a frank framework for the realistic 3-vs-4 decision.

Designing and Running Alts in a Crowded Senior Cycle Calendar Beginner
Using Alts as Coursework Project Preparation Beginner

The Coursework Project carries 30% of the LCCS grade and is the largest single source of teacher anxiety. It is teacher-supervised but externally assessed, and the marking scheme is unforgiving in specific ways that catch out new LCCS teachers. This is the longest of the assessment-focused modules because the Coursework Project is where good teaching most directly affects student outcomes.

Reading the Coursework Project Brief and Marking Scheme Like an Examiner Beginner
Coaching Topic Selection and Supervising the Year-long Project Beginner
Applying the Marking Scheme to a Sample Submission Beginner

The written paper carries 70% of the LCCS grade, yet it is the component most likely to be neglected because the Coursework Project is louder. This module gives the written paper its proper share of attention: the paper's structure and question architecture, the SEC chief examiner reports, exam technique embedded year-round, and a final synthesis lesson covering the participant's year plan, recruitment from the JC Coding pathway, and final reflection.

The Written Paper — Structure, Question Architecture and Marking Patterns Beginner
Chief Examiner Insights — Highest-frequency Errors and Teaching Responses Beginner
Exam Technique Across the Year — Question Parsing, Code-question Strategy and Time Management Beginner
Your Year Plan, Recruitment Pipeline and Final Reflection Beginner

Two lessons that establish three things: an honest map of where you are starting from (the confidence audit); a working understanding of what the LCCS specification requires of students (and therefore of you); and a productive mindset for delivering LCCS without pretending to be a domain expert.

Welcome, Confidence Audit and the Lead Learner Mindset Beginner
The LCCS Specification — Three Strands, Two Components, and the Tranche 3 Refresh Beginner

CS-education research is unusually clear that 'watch the teacher code, then write your own' produces poor outcomes for novices. This module replaces that pattern with computational thinking as named classroom moves, PRIMM and worked examples, explicit instruction in debugging, and a sequenced two-year Python progression with programming-specific assessment.

Computational Thinking as Classroom Practice Beginner
PRIMM, Worked Examples and Misconception Diagnostics Beginner
Teaching Debugging Explicitly Beginner
Scaffolding Python Across Two Years and Assessing Programming Progress Beginner

This module addresses the elephant in the room for out-of-field LCCS teachers: the Core Concepts strand requires substantive subject knowledge that most cross-trainers have never formally studied. The module covers each area at the level the LCCS specification actually requires and the SEC written paper actually asks: data representation; algorithms; computer systems; networks and the web; and AI, machine learning and computers in society.

Data Representation — Binary, Encoding, Images and Sound for Non-specialists Beginner
Algorithms and Algorithmic Thinking for Non-specialists Beginner
Computer Systems — Hardware, Software, Operating System for the Written Paper Beginner
Networks and the Web — the Topic Most Out-of-field Teachers Find Hardest Beginner
AI, Machine Learning and Computers in Society Beginner

The four prescribed Applied Learning Tasks account for roughly 40 hours of LCCS classroom time across the two-year course. They are the main vehicle for the Computer Science in Practice strand and the principal way students develop the design, build, and reflection muscles they will need for the Coursework Project. This module gives out-of-field teachers both the pedagogy for running ALTs well and a frank framework for the realistic 3-vs-4 decision.

Designing and Running Alts in a Crowded Senior Cycle Calendar Beginner
Using Alts as Coursework Project Preparation Beginner

The Coursework Project carries 30% of the LCCS grade and is the largest single source of teacher anxiety. It is teacher-supervised but externally assessed, and the marking scheme is unforgiving in specific ways that catch out new LCCS teachers. This is the longest of the assessment-focused modules because the Coursework Project is where good teaching most directly affects student outcomes.

Reading the Coursework Project Brief and Marking Scheme Like an Examiner Beginner
Coaching Topic Selection and Supervising the Year-long Project Beginner
Applying the Marking Scheme to a Sample Submission Beginner

The written paper carries 70% of the LCCS grade, yet it is the component most likely to be neglected because the Coursework Project is louder. This module gives the written paper its proper share of attention: the paper's structure and question architecture, the SEC chief examiner reports, exam technique embedded year-round, and a final synthesis lesson covering the participant's year plan, recruitment from the JC Coding pathway, and final reflection.

The Written Paper — Structure, Question Architecture and Marking Patterns Beginner
Chief Examiner Insights — Highest-frequency Errors and Teaching Responses Beginner
Exam Technique Across the Year — Question Parsing, Code-question Strategy and Time Management Beginner
Your Year Plan, Recruitment Pipeline and Final Reflection Beginner

What You'll Learn

Learning Goals

  1. Articulate the LCCS specification, including its strands, assessment components, and Tranche 3 updates.
  2. Apply evidence-based pedagogies to teach computational thinking, programming, and debugging effectively.
  3. Develop strategies for delivering core computer science concepts to non-specialist students.
  4. Design and supervise Applied Learning Tasks and the Coursework Project to build student skills.
  5. Create a comprehensive year plan integrating exam techniques, recruitment, and reflective practice.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Articulate the LCCS specification, including its three strands, two assessment components, and Tranche 3 changes, and map them to a year-long teaching plan.
  2. Apply computational thinking principles and evidence-based pedagogies, such as PRIMM and debugging routines, to design and deliver Python programming lessons.
  3. Teach core LCCS concepts—data representation, algorithms, computer systems, networks, and AI/society—by addressing misconceptions and building student mental models.
  4. Design, deliver, and assess Applied Learning Tasks (ALTs) as preparation for the Coursework Project, including scaffolding progression and ethical supervision.
  5. Develop exam strategies for the written paper, including question parsing and time management, and create a recruitment pipeline to address gender gaps in enrolment.

Ready to start this course?

Enrol today and learn at your own pace.

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